Cautious optimisms greet TSTV

“Too early to celebrate I must tell you! Wait a bit until it starts operations and then judge. Etisalat is a cautionary tale” a Nigeria CommunicationsWeek reader identified as ‘Ned’ wrote while calling for caution among other readers over the proposed TSTV launch.

TSTV which stands for Telcom Satellite TV, has since expressed battle ready to wrestle market share from DSTV. It is coming prepared with “Pay-As-You-Consume” plan which every other operator said was not possible in Nigeria before now.

“Pay-As-You-Consume” plan already praised for its simplicity will allow subscribers of TSTV pay for only programmes watched.

DSTV, no doubt, has served Nigerians for a very long period of time. But, TSTV’s entrance is a test of strength and will prove if DSTV has been receptive to the yearnings of subscribers.

DSTV shows live English Premier League matches, which gave it mirage in the market over the years, TSTV has promised to deliver same too. You can also enjoy Live La Liga and Champions League matches on TSTV.

TSTV is partnering Europe-based television station, ABS Global, to launch into the Nigerian Broadcasting Service a Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite TV from October 1, 2017, with a message centered on ‘Buy Naija and Grow the Naira’ and pay as you use (PAYU) subscription plan.

When fully launched, the pay TV satellite would cover all sub-Saharan African countries and would provide over 200 TV channels to their audience.

According to reader- Peter Fisher, TSTV’s challenge is welcome in the market. Here are his reasons: “DSTV suffers from the same problem most South African entities do in Nigeria. They think they had brought Water to a desert and that they would able to determine and control the market.

“MTN came in and said per second billing was not possible (they were billing per minute in the early days), until GLO entered the market with per second billing. Nigeria (& Nigerians for that matter) is a different ball game from the rest of Africa. We are amongst the most intelligent and capable people on this planet. DSTV thought that this land would be theirs to plunder for eternity. Nigerians will never allow that…. there have been complaints about DSTV for years. Their response has been to increase prices.

“Their refusal to trade-in decoders when upgrading has been a long standing problem. They do not understand that if embrace the needs of the people in Nigeria, no one will bother you, but if you do not, someone will come along who will, and they will be Nigerian!!!

But, ‘Mao1’ would blame perceived problems in the market on those in the collider or powers for their failure to protect indigenous players through policy making. “The biggest problem we have in Nigeria is self interest of those in government.